Lafourche student councils bring home high honors

Published: Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 1:34 a.m.

At the school system’s quarterly awards ceremony Wednesday, central office staff rattled off a list of achievements long enough to delay the scheduled start of that night’s School Board meeting.

“We made the School Board meeting a little late, but we’re OK with that,” Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews said. “Going too long because you have too many great things to recognize is a good problem to have.”

Thibodaux High School’s council, for example, is collectively serving as president of the district-level council. One of its members, Peyton Chiasson, represents students statewide on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Six of the Thibodaux High Student Council’s members have been named “certified leaders” by the National Association of Student Councils. To earn that honor, a student most complete a rigorous application process of interviews and essays and have a strong grade-point average and a long list of community activities.

Thibodaux High student Kalin Larousse has racked up honors on his own. He was named a student chairman of the National Association of Student Councils advisory board, the highest student council rank a high school student can attain.

Larousse said he sees his council work as training for becoming a community leader after he graduates.

“We want people to be involved in our community. The Student Council is the way to do that here at school,” he said. “We want people to know that there are things they can do to change things and fix problems they might have.”

The council’s achievements have earned them friends in high places. State Rep. Dee Richard, a Thibodaux lawmaker with no affiliation and an alumnus of Thibodaux High’s student council, has proposed a ceremonial resolution in the state House of Representatives honoring the group for its achievements.

“Thibodaux High’s Student Council has been great in this state for a long time,” Richard told the group Thursday night. “And this group is keeping up that great tradition.”

South Lafourche High’s Student Council has made a name for itself as well. Member Caroline Guidry was named Student Council Member of the Year by the state association.

South Lafourche has students in several state leadership positions, including District IV Vice President Rene Chiasson and State Vice President James Rousse.

Rousse is taking over from fellow Tarpons Brayeah Alleman and Katelyn Reding, who were last year’s co-vice presidents.

Richard said he hopes the students continue to get involved long into adulthood.

“This state needs more leaders. It needs more people who are willing to be a part of something,” Richard said. “Get involved and stay involved, even when you get out of school.”

Larousse said he plans to run for political office in the future, though he hasn’t decided which one.

“I know a lot of people are down on politics and public service right now,” Larousse said. “But I think it’s important for people to know that there are people out there who are honestly out to be fair and do what’s best for them.”

Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright@

<p>Lafourche Parish's student councils are on a roll.</p><p>At the school system's quarterly awards ceremony Wednesday, central office staff rattled off a list of achievements long enough to delay the scheduled start of that night's School Board meeting.</p><p>“We made the School Board meeting a little late, but we're OK with that,” Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews said. “Going too long because you have too many great things to recognize is a good problem to have.”</p><p>Thibodaux High School's council, for example, is collectively serving as president of the district-level council. One of its members, Peyton Chiasson, represents students statewide on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.</p><p>Six of the Thibodaux High Student Council's members have been named “certified leaders” by the National Association of Student Councils. To earn that honor, a student most complete a rigorous application process of interviews and essays and have a strong grade-point average and a long list of community activities.</p><p>Thibodaux High student Kalin Larousse has racked up honors on his own. He was named a student chairman of the National Association of Student Councils advisory board, the highest student council rank a high school student can attain. </p><p>Larousse said he sees his council work as training for becoming a community leader after he graduates.</p><p>“We want people to be involved in our community. The Student Council is the way to do that here at school,” he said. “We want people to know that there are things they can do to change things and fix problems they might have.”</p><p>The council's achievements have earned them friends in high places. State Rep. Dee Richard, a Thibodaux lawmaker with no affiliation and an alumnus of Thibodaux High's student council, has proposed a ceremonial resolution in the state House of Representatives honoring the group for its achievements. </p><p>“Thibodaux High's Student Council has been great in this state for a long time,” Richard told the group Thursday night. “And this group is keeping up that great tradition.” </p><p>South Lafourche High's Student Council has made a name for itself as well. Member Caroline Guidry was named Student Council Member of the Year by the state association. </p><p>South Lafourche has students in several state leadership positions, including District IV Vice President Rene Chiasson and State Vice President James Rousse.</p><p>Rousse is taking over from fellow Tarpons Brayeah Alleman and Katelyn Reding, who were last year's co-vice presidents.</p><p>Richard said he hopes the students continue to get involved long into adulthood.</p><p>“This state needs more leaders. It needs more people who are willing to be a part of something,” Richard said. “Get involved and stay involved, even when you get out of school.”</p><p>Larousse said he plans to run for political office in the future, though he hasn't decided which one.</p><p>“I know a lot of people are down on politics and public service right now,” Larousse said. “But I think it's important for people to know that there are people out there who are honestly out to be fair and do what's best for them.”</p><p>Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright@</p><p>dailycomet.com.</p>